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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The church Notre-Dame de Domérat, located in the Allier department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, is a religious building dating back to the 11th and 12th centuries. It is distinguished by a complex structure including a nave with a low side, a double transept with semicircular absidioles, and a chorus finished with a hemicycle sanctuary. A vast crypt of seven spans, dating from the second half of the 11th century, extends under the choir and sanctuary, testifying to primitive Romanesque architecture.

The church underwent major transformations between 1859 and 1865: the first four spans of the nave and the lower side were completely rebuilt, while the rest of the nave, transepts and absidioles were modified. Only the choir, sanctuary and crypt, classified as historical monuments by decree of 12 December 1910, kept their original state. The bell tower, erected on the cross of the transepts, is accessible by a turret integrated with one of the two sacraries flanking the choir.

The building illustrates medieval architectural evolution, with Romanesque elements preserved despite 19th century restorations. Its crypt, particularly remarkable, and its partial ranking underscore its heritage importance. The location of Domérat, in the Allier, makes it a witness to the religious and architectural history of Bourbonnais.

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